Device for removing hands and small parts from watches and other mechanisms



March 24, 1942. G. n. GUSTAFSON 2,277,587

DEVICE FOR REMOVING HANDS AND SMALL PARTS FROM WATCHES AND 'OTHER MECHANISMS Filed Aug. 2, 1940 YIIIIII/IlimI/IIO/A Patented Mar. 24, 1942 DEVICE FOR REMOVING HANDS AND SMALL PARTS FROM WATCHES AND OTHER MECHANISMS Gunnar D. Gustafson, Chicago, Ill. Application August 2, 1940, Serial No. 349,555

7 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in devices for removing hands and small parts from Watches and other mechanisms and it consists of the matters hereinafter described 'and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In repairing and cleaning the small, fine mechanism of a watch or scientific instrument, it is often necessary to remove certain minute parts thereof, such as hands, pinions and the like, having a relatively tight friction fit with respect to associated parts. Because of the minute size of the parts requiring removal, they are easily damaged beyond use or are lost and this is especially true when they are'pried from their position in the mechanism.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a device in the nature of a hand tool by which minute hands, pinions and other small parts may be removed from associated parts of a fine mechanism in a manner preventing damage to or loss of the same.

Another object of the' invention is to provide a device of this kind which when used for its intended purpose, exerts a steady axial pull on the part to be removed and holds the said part, after removal, to prevent its loss.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind which is eflicient in and simple to use for its intended purpose.

The above mentioned objects of the invention, as well as others, together with the several advantages thereof will more fully appear as the specification proceeds.

In the drawing: 1

Fig. l is a perspective view of a device embodying one form of the invention, on a scale enlarged over full size, and illustrates the parts in the position they occupy when holding a part removed from a watchor the like.

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation on substantially the scale of Fig. 1 of the gripping jaw end of the device and shows the initial position of the parts in association with the hands and dial of a Watch movement, certain parts being shown in section for a better illustration thereof.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 with the parts.

in a changed position as will be later mentioned.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view through a part of the device of Figs. 1, 2 and 3 respectively, as taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2. v

Fig. 5 is a perspective view onan enlarged scale of a certain block-ilke element employed in the device appearing in Fig. 1 and which will be more fully referred to later.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 and illustrates parts of a device embodying a modified form of the invention and shows the same in the nongripping position.

Fig. 7 is a view of the parts shown in Fig. 6, when said parts are in their gripping position.

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawing, the improved device as shown therein includes a pair of laterally spaced resilient arms 10-10 which are-slightly bowed outwardly longitudinally. Said arms are operatively secured at the inner end to opposite sides of a tongue H on a handle 1 2 in a suitable manher, and diverge toward the other and outer end where each arm is there provided with a jaw l3 and a longitudinal slot I l. The jaws l3 on the outer end of said arms face inwardly toward each other and are relatively thin in cross section when compared to the cross section of the associated arm. The resiliency of the arms is such that normally the facing edges of the jaws are spaced a suitable distance apart.

A presser foot block 15 is disposed on the outer surface of the jaw end of each arm l0 and one of said blocks is shown in perspective, on an enlarged scale, in Fig. 5. Each block, which has the width of the arm upon which it is mounted, is provided at its outer end with pad 5 to prevent scratching or marring of the surface finish of a dial or the like when the device is used for removing the hands of a watch. .The inner end of said block has a relatively thin extension l1. Each block I5 is provided along one side with a spline l8 that fits in the slot [4 of the associated arm, to guide the block in its movement relatively to and longitudinally of the jaw end of'the associated arm.

Between the jaw end of the arms is provided a leaf spring l9 of substantially a U-shape that includes laterally spaced legs 202il, connected together at one end by a crotch 2 l.

The free end of said legs of said spring face toward the jaws of the arms I0|0 and are engaged with the inner surfaces of the said arms. A pin 22 is employed to fasten the free end of each spring leg to the edge of the spline I8 of the associated pressure block and this pin extends through and beyond the extension I! of the associated block to act as a stud.

An outwardly bowed leaf spring element23 is associated with the outer face of each arm l0 and one end of each element 23 is fastened to the inner end of said arms l0l0 and the tongue II to which said ends of said arms are fixed. The outer end of each spring element is disposed to engage upon the extension I! of an associated presser foot block 5 and said end of each element 23 has an opening 24 therein to receive the associated stud as formed by the outer end of the pin 22 before mentioned.

25 indicates a stem-like element arranged centrally between the arms l9-lil and extending substantially the full length thereof and adapted to coact with the jaws l3l3 in holding the part removed from a mechanism. The inner end of said element 25 has sliding bearing in the tongue II. The outer end of said element passes through an opening in the crotch 2| of the spring l9 before mentioned, and the extremity of said element which is disposed adjacent the jaws l3-l3 is formed as a head 29. An expansion spring 2'! surrounds that part of the stemlike element 25 between the crotch 2i and the head 26 and normally urges said element toward the jaws until stopped by the engagement of enlargements 28 on the stem which abutagainst said crotch.

Assume that it is desired to remove one of the hands 29 from a watch movement that includes a dial 30. The device is applied to the dial so that there is a jaw l3 disposed upon each side of the hub portion of the hand as appear in Fig. 2. At this time, the pads IE on the blocks l5 are disposed above the jaws engaged on the face of the dial. The spring elements 23 are sprung inwardly by finger pressure, each towards its associated arm 10. As said elements are secured to the arms I9--!fi at the inner end, the outer ends of said elements approach each other and straighten out. When said elements straighton out, they elongate and the free or outer ends thereof slide the blocks l5 outwardly on the ends of the arms to a position beyond the jaws l3 as appears in Figs. 1 and 3. In the straightening out of the spring elements 23, a

compound motion of the parts occurs, the jaws [3 closing inwardly to grip or grasp the hand 29 and the blocks l5 proceeding outwardly to impart a lifting action to the arms lt-lll as a whole. This provides a steady, slow, powerful lift to the hand, axially of the arbor on which it is mounted to remove it therefrom. As the hand 29 is thus lifted from its arbor, its hub is caused to engage the spring-pressed stem 25 and to move it inwardly a trifle, to cause the stem to exert an independent pressure axially of the hand. This pressure is suflicient to yieldingly hold the removed hand against the jaws l3l3 until released by removing the inward finger pressure on the spring elements 2323. When said elements are so released, they yield outwardly to return to normal position and therefore permit the jaws l3-|3 to open and release the removed hand 29.

It is apparent in the removing of the hand as described, the blocks Eli-l5 exert an upward lift to the device as a whole, said blocks bearing against the face of the dial. With the pad I6 provided on the blocks, the surface finish of the dial cannot be damaged.

Instead of imposing the lifting pressure on the dial, in removing a hand, the pressure may be imposed on the arbor on which the hand is mounted. In Figs. 5 and 6, I have illustrated a fragmentary part of a device capable of functioning in that manner. In said figures, Illa-Illa indicate the arms carrying the jaws |3CL as before'and having the longitudinal slots therein. A cross head 3! is disposed between said arms and has opposed end extensions 32 that extend through the longitudinal slots in the arms Ina-49a. Leaf springs 33 are disposed upon said extensions 3| and bear at the middle against the central body portion of the cross head and bear at their ends against longitudinally spaced points on the inner surfaces of said arms Illa-40a.

Bowed spring elements 2341 as before are operatively secured to each extension 3|, outside the associated arm by a pin 34 carried by the respective extensions.

An arbor engaging stem 35 is disposed between the arms and has a threaded engagement in the body of the cross head. The outer end of said stem is pointed to engage the end of an arbor of the watch and upon which the hand ha a relatively tight friction fit. The other end of said stem is made tubular to slide on the outer end of a supporting pin 35, the inner end of which is rigidly fixed with respect to the inner ends of the arms l0al0a.

In the use of the device including the parts just above mentioned, when the elements 23a- 23a are pressed inwardly toward the arms Illa-a, they elongate and move the cross head 3| relatively to the ends of the arms Illa-l0a. In said movement of said arms, they close the jaws I3al3a into gripping position. In this movement of the parts, as the stem 35 is engaged with the hand arbor, the jaws I3a|3a move upwardly to lift the hand off the arbor. The hand is then held in position between the jaws Illa-[3a and the end of the stem 35.

By threading the stem 35 in one direction or the other through the cross head, the required length of lift of the jaws l-3a,l3a may be provided. To turn the stem in the desired direction, it is provided with a head 31.

To release the hand, gripped in the fashion mentioned, pressure on the elements 23a-23a is released and the parts return to normal position as before.

The device is simple in construction and may be readily manipulated. It is a handy tool for watch and instrument repair or maintenance men because with it, hands and other small parts may be quickly and easily removed without the danger of damaging or losing such parts in the removal thereof.

While in describing my invention, I have referred in detail to the form, arrangement and construction of the parts involved, the same is to be considered only in the illustrative sense and therefore I do not wish to be limited thereto except as may be specifically pointed out in the l appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A device of the kind described embodying therein a pair of laterally spaced arms, each carrying a gripping jaw at one end, means for connecting said arms together at the other end so that the jaw ends may move toward or away from each other into and out of gripping position, a presser foot member associated with the jaw end of each arm, means providing a sliding guided engagement for each presser foot member on the jaw end of its associated arm for a longitudinal movement thereon from a position where one end thereof is spaced inwardly from the end of the asociated arm to a position wherein said one end is spaced outwardly from said end of the associated arm, a bowed member on the outer face of each arm, means connecting one end of each bowed member to said other end of an associated arm, and means connecting the otherend of said bowed member to the presser foot member on the same arm and whereby straightening out of said bowed members will cause the jaws of said arms to approach each other and will also cause the presser foot member on the jaw ends of said arms to move outwardly thereon from the first to the second mentioned position therefor.

2. A device of the kind described embodying therein a pair of laterally spaced arms, each carrying a gripping jaw at one end, means for connecting said arms together at the other end so that the jaw ends may move toward or away from each other into and out of gripping position, a presser foot member associated with the jaw end of each arm, means providing a sliding guided engagement for each presser foot member on the jaw end of its associated arm for a longitudinal movement thereon from a position where one end thereof is spaced inwardly from the end of the associated arm to a position wherein said one end is spaced outwardly from said end of the associated arm, a bowed member on" the outer face of each arm, means connecting one end of each bowed member to said other end of an associated arm, means connecting the other end of said bowed member to the presser foot member on the same arm and whereby straightening out of said bowed members will cause the jaws of said arms to approach each other and will also cause the presser foot members on the jaw ends of said arms to move outwardly thereon from the first to the second mentioned position therefor, and means disposed substantially centrally between and capable of a longitudinal movement relative tosaid arms to coact with said jaws in holding the part removed.

3. A device of the kind described embodying therein a pair of laterally spaced arms, each carrying a gripping jaw at one end, means for connecting said arms together at the other end so that the jaw ends may move toward or away from each other into and out of gripping position, a presser foot member associated with the jaw end of each arm, means providing a sliding guided engagement for each presser foot mem-v ber on the jaw end of its associated arm for a longitudinal movement thereon from a position where one end thereof is spaced inwardly from the end of the associated arm to a position wherein said one end is spaced outwardly from said end of the associated arm, a bowed member on the outer face of each arm, means connecting one end of each bowed member to said other end of an associated arm, means connecting the other end of said bowed member to the presser foot member on the same arm and whereby straightening out of said bowed members will cause the jaws of said arms to approach each other and will also cause the presser foot members on the jaw ends of said arms to move outwardly thereon from the first to the second mentioned position therefor, means disposed substantially centrally between said arms and mounted for a relative longitudinal movement with respect to said arms, and means connecting said last mentioned means and said presser foot members for moving said centrally disposed means outwardly of said arms to coact with said jaws in holding the part removed.

4. A device of the kind described embodying therein a pair of laterally spaced arms, each carrying a gripping jaw at one end, means for connecting said arms together at the other end so that the jaw ends may move toward or away from each other into and out of gripping position, a presser foot member associated with the jaw end of each arm, means providing a sliding guided engagement for each presser foot member on the jaw end of its associated arm for a longitudinal movement thereon from a position where one end thereof is spaced inwardly from the end of the associated arm to a position wherein said one end is spaced outwardly from said end of the associated arm, a bowed member on the outer face of each arm, means connecting one end of each bowed member to said other end of an associated arm, means connecting the other end of each bowed member to the presser foot member on the same arm and Whereby straightening out of said bowed members will cause the jaws of said arms to approach each other and will also cause the presser foot members on the jaw ends of said arms to move outwardly thereon from the first to the second mentioned position therefrom, a stem disposed centrally between said arms and mounted for relative longitudinal movement with respect to said arms, spring means disposed between said arms adjacent the gripping jaw end thereof and through which said stem extends, said spring means having parts connected to said presser foot members so as to move therewith and resilient means disposed between a part of said stem and said spring means to yieldingly move said stem into engagement with the part to be removed from a mechanism to coact with said jaws in holding said part.

5. A device of the kind described embodying therein a pair of laterally spaced arms each carrying a gripping jaw at one end, means for connecting said arms together at the other end so that the jaw ends may move toward or away from each other, into and out of gripping position, the jaw end of each arm having a longitudinal slot therein inwardly of the associated gripping jaw, a presser foot member mounted on the outer face of the jaw end of each arm, means on each presser foot member and engaged in the slot of the associated arm so that each presser foot member has a sliding guided engagement on its arm from a position wherein one end thereof is spaced inwardly from the jaw end of the associated arm to a position wherein said one end is spaced outwardly from said end of the associated arm, a bowed member on the outer face of each arm, means connecting one end of each bowed member to said other end of the associated arm, and means connecting the other end of each bowed member to the presser foot member on the same arm and whereby straightening out of said bowed members will cause the jaws of said arms to approach each other and will also cause the presser foot members on the jaw ends of said arms to move outwardly thereon from the first position to the second mentioned position therefrom.

6. A device of the kind described embodying therein a pair of laterally spaced arms each carrying a gripping jaw at one end, means for connecting said arms together at the other end so that the jaw ends may move toward or away from each other, into and out of gripping position, the jaw end of each arm having a longitudinal slot therein inwardly of the associated gripping jaw, a presser foot member mounted on the outer face of the jaw end of each end, means on each jaw and engaged in the slot of the associated arm so that each presser foot member has a sliding guided engagement on its arm from a position wherein one end thereof is spaced inwardly from the jaw end of the associated arm to a position wherein said one end is spaced outwardly from said end of the associated arm, a bowed member on the outer face of each arm, means connecting one end of each bowed member to said other end of the associated arm, spring means between said arms adjacent the jaw ends thereof and normally urging them apart, one end of said spring means being operatively connected to an associated presser foot member, and means connecting the other end of each bowed member to the presser foot member on the same arm and whereby straightening out of said bowed members will cause the jaw end of said arms to approach each other and will also cause the presser foot members on the jaw end of said arms to move outwardly thereon from the first to the second mentioned position thereon.

7. A device of the kind described, embodying therein a pair of laterally spaced arms each carrying a gripping jaw at one end, means for connecting said arms together at the other end so that the jaw ends may move toward or away from each other into and out of gripping position, the jaw end of each arm having a longitudinal slot therein, inwardly of the associated gripping jaw, a presser foot member mounted on the outer face of the jaw end of each arm and having a spline engaged in the slot therein so that each presser foot member has a sliding guided engagement on its arm from a position wherein one end thereof is spaced inwardly from the jaw end of the associated arm to a position wherein said one end is spaced outwardly from said end of the associated arm, a U shaped spring disposed between the jaw end of each arm, a pin for connecting each end of said spring to the associated presser foot member, a stem disposed centrally between said arms and arranged for a limited longitudinal movement, said stem passing through said spring and having a head on its outer end, yielding means surrounding that part of said stem between said spring and said head, a bowed member on the outer face of each arm, means connecting one end of each bowed member to the other end of the associated arm, the other end or each bowed member engaging a part of the associated presser foot member on the same arm and having engagement with an associated pin and whereby straightening out of said bowed members will cause the jaw ends of the arms to approach each other and will also cause the presser foot members on the jaw ends of said arms to move outwardly thereof from the first position to the second position therefor and through said spring member and said resilient means will cause said stem to move outwardly to coact with the jaws in holding the said part removed from said mechanism.

GUNNAR D. GUSTAFSON. 

